January Wildcard – FPL Fantasy Premier League
The much anticipated January wildcard is just around the corner and this article will look through the different options you have in terms of strategy when it comes to playing it. For those managers who have already played their season-long wildcard, this is the last chance to have a free mass clear out, get rid of that deadwood – and select all those in-form players into your squad – subject to budget restrictions, of course! If you’re happy with your squad and you don’t feel the need to use your January wildcard, be aware that if you “don’t use it, you lose it”! Therefore, even if your squad does look good, most squads would still need the odd tinker, so your January wildcard could just be used to save the odd 4 or 8pt hit, but for most it’s finally that time when you can cut loose and start afresh.
The facts and dates:
The January Wildcard can only be used after GW20 starts (1 Jan 11:30) until GW23 ends (1 Feb 11:30).
FA Cup dates in January:
3rd round proper weekend of 4/5 January
4th round proper, weekend of 25th January.
Transfer window commences at midnight on 31 December and ends on 31 January. Yep we all know that day, it’s when ‘Arry leans out of his car window…
Using the wildcard early:
Many managers use their wildcard as early as possible, in an effort to maximise team value. This is possible because after GW20 begins there is a 10-day window until GW21 due to the FA Cup 3rd round proper inbetween GW20 & GW21, hence it is expected that there will be plenty of prices rises and in some cases a player may rise up to 0.3m. This method is particularly popular for those managers who still hold their “season-long” wildcard, therefore giving them maximum opportunity to benefit from their increased team value later on in the season. This is hugely significant and one of the advantages of still holding your season-long wildcard as later in the season it may well mean the difference between being able to buy a striker for £10m, instead of being limited to just £9m, if you haven’t raised that team value.
If you are lucky enough to still have your other one then hanging fire as late as possible may not be as pertinent as it is for those who have burned theirs already. You can go early, if you need to, knowing you still have another window of opportunity later in the season to rectify the inevitable squad issues that occur such as injuries. For those that have the January wildcard it is their last chance in this respect so choose carefully when you use it.
Using the wildcard late:
A good deal of managers will leave it as late as possible to play their January wildcard for a number of reasons. Firstly, by leaving it late, you get the whole benefit of the January transfer window. Just imagine David Moyes or Jose Mourinho splashing the cash during the month on some world-class talent…and you can get them in for free! The January transfer window usually throws up some new players from abroad and perhaps a few significant ones this time hopefully (note to Moyes – you need a midfielder!). Some teams view it as the O.K Corral in an attempt to galvanise their ailing squads in an effort to avoid relegation or push or for a European spot. Case in point being QPR last season when they introduced nearly a full new squad! It didn’t work…. The point is though, that if you can afford to wait, you can see what transfers have been made and how this may impact your future transfer decisions. The best example of this may be if Man Utd do bring in the marquee midfield play-maker they sorely need.
Secondly, this is the time of the season when the FA Cup starts to impact the FPL season – the dates of the 3rd & 4th round are listed above – this is all means the possibility of Cup replays, double game-weeks, congested fixture lists, postponed games, increased chances of injuries and suspensions to players, etc. Hence, for this reason it may also be prudent to wait as long as possible – especially if this is your last wildcard available.
Conclusion:
Clearly, there is no right or wrong answer as to when in January you should play your wildcard. Each manager must weigh up for themselves the different variables involved and work out what works best for their individual team priorities during the season. Your team may be ravaged by injuries from the Christmas period, you may still be holding your season-long wildcard, you want to wait for the transfer window to take advantage of new players coming into the league, you may be entirely focused on building up your team value.
Whatever you plan to do or indeed if you’re still not sure, be sure to get involved in the chat, offer up some advice or maybe look for guidance from others.
Good look and don’t forget that if you “don’t use it, you lose it”!
This article was written by Cookie.
Hi from Egypt.
Enjoying a time out. Hoping not to screw up my ranking as a result.
Overall Points1,153
Overall Rank1,946
Gameweek Points91
Team Linked. Any thoughts?
Sort out my keeper?
Drop lukaku and being in wally for a -4
Something else?!
1.6m in the bank.
Cheers
J.
Anyone?
James,
1. Walcott
2. Keeper
3. Lukaku
This is how I’d rank the suggestions you’ve made above. Personally I don’t think Lukaku has been playing poorly, it’s just that that muppet Mirallas refuses to pass to him!!!
Cheers Kop. Appreciate it mate.
James
None of your starting 11 are players anyone would sell.
I agree with Kop, Lukaku just not getting chance to score
Walcott is a must at some point though. But not for a hit with your team as it stands imo
Thanks Bb
Bring in Wally for who James?
Non-playing cheap as hell villa bench player.
I’d have a power 5 in my midfield. Then 2 quality forwards, plus one of low quality who’d almost never see game time. .
You’re top of the Regulars, why must I help you 😛
It’s Christmas?
James.. you’ve made 50 points worth of transfer hits?!
Aye James get your finger out man!!!
More hits 😛
I’ve likely given you the top spot in the Banterbury championship on Boxing Day should you win your tie that is, I’ve played another wild card…… At a cost of course
Did this a few weeks back and still won so you never know 😉
Right. Got to live a little.
Hits are fun.
Gallow mate, I told you you’d win that one!
Who you got in your banterbury group?
I have cookie potty and chorley. Quality IMO.
You jammy sod James, can we swap? See bench and change places man?
Cookie? Dream draw for banter purpose
Potty ? Beat him every time…. Easy meat 😉
Chorls? Fellow pact member
Damn James that’s a cracking group
Would you consider swapping? Seriously?
That’s if a Bench would allow it?
Nope!
This was my wish list group gonna be fun.
Any idea who you got?
No idea James, will try and figure it out
This is the layout, I’m in group 2 being top of the championship
group 2
1) 1st championship
2) 2nd league 1
3) 3rd league 2
4) 4th Premier
Gallow, I’m detecting a man-hunt here!
James, that was your wish list?! Good to hear, I am jealous!
James
Here’s my group, haven’t a clue who the bottom two are but I’ve got ELLIOT
Well pleased with that, he’s bloody useless
Another Merc scalp to my H2H collection, already done over Mito and Suarez
Cookie
Yes mate, hunting you down like a dog
No matter what I achieve this season if I don’t overhaul you in the Pact v Merc league then I’ve failed
Gotta say I’m impressed at your resolve mate, well done!!
Here’s my group, forgot to paste it lol
group 2
1) 1st championship – Gallowgators
2) 2nd league 1 – CFC aka Elliot
3) 3rd league 2 – White boys day
4) 4th Premier – Wheres the dosh
Who are white boys day and where’s the dosh?
Feel like I’ve just opened my Xmas present and got …… Bloody socks!!!!!
Cheers though you’re already being an annoying little dog, just continually yapping away at my feet, I can’t shrug you off!!
Bit of a turnaround eh? Then again it’s not great to be top at Christmas is it?
Cookie
No mate it not
I remember the Toon top by 12 points at Xmas and they caved in like you will eventually do 😉
Little dog? Lol remember they still have teeth and BITE!!!
Looking forward to our tussle mate, we’ve been 1-2 for many weeks now barring that little shit Monty briefly splitting us last week.
Have a good Xmas but watch your arse 😉 it’s about to be bitten LMAO
Haha Gallow., have to say your hits galore is paying off for you this season – am surprised, just goes to show there’s one more than one way to play this game eh?
Hope you and the family have a cracking Christmas together!
White boys are Drexel on here I think that’s how you spell it and where the dosh is the Cooky boys from ffc
I demand a recount!!!!! My henchmen should be awarded a place in the shield…. Just because
White boys day are indeed my boys.
And doesn’t everyone needs socks for Xmas my Geordie friend.
Looking forward to doing battle with the elite players. And you too Gallow
Haha Drexl
Bring your best game to the table mate, you are gonna need it now 😉
Like your team Palace, you are gonna be blitzed by a Geordie storm
Nice to identify one opponent, I already know CFC who’s a REAL walkover, all moth and no trousers, I suppose there are easy points for you there also 😉
The other team I’ve no idea about.
I will make sure I pull up my new socks when we meet mate, I believe you’re my first tie?
Good luck
An good luck to you me ol magpie.
Am actually staunch and proud QPR lifelonger, but as Prem dont allow for that chose palace whose ground I live 1/4 mile from.
Struggling (a bit) FF wise, but always have a better 2nd half of the season so still in the hunt., and form puicking up nicely.
Let battle commence.
Guessing Bench will post fixtures and tables duly, or are they posted somewhere I have yet to find.
Ps great scoring mate, and loving the (successfu)l high trf policy. man after my own heart….
D
There you go Drexl
you will enjoy that being QPR? Lol very best good luck in that one mate, not that you need any to beat him, he was the only one in our league not to captain Suarez this week Lol
Full layout for the shield comp
I noticed you love hits also? 😉 I’ve gained respect for you already
Looking at it I don’t actually play you first, you get off to a flyer beating CFC the plastic Chelsea glory hunter
Group 1
1)1st premier
2) 2nd championship
3) 3rd league 1
4) 4th league 2
group 2
1) 1st championship – Gallowgators
2) 2nd league 1 – CFC aka Elliot
3) 3rd league 2 – White boys day
4) 4th Premier – Wheres the dosh
Group 3
1) 1st League 1
2) 2nd League 2
3) 3rd premier
4) 4th championship
Group 4
1) 1st league 2
2) 2nd premier
3) 3rd championship
4) 4th league 1
2 Fixtures
January 11th -13th 1 v 4 & 2 v 3 GW21
January 18th -20th 1 v 3 & 2 v 4 GW22
February 1st 1 v 2 & 3 v 4 GW24
February 22nd 4 v 1 & 3 v 2 GW27
March 1st 3 v 1 & 4 v 2 GW28
March 8th 2 v 1 & 4 v 3 GW29
3 knockout stage – top two from each qualify
Quarter FInals March 29th GW32
1) winner G1 v runner up G4,
2) winner G2 v runner up G3
3) winner G3 v runner up G2
4) winner G4 v runner up G1
Semi finals 26th April GW36
A) winner game 1 v winner game 2
winner game 3 v winner game 4
Final May 3rd GW38
A vs B
So I get 72 points and just see red arrows… GREAT!!
Anyway sat night in the early morning I decided to do my transfers bringing in walcott henderson and ward in for ramsey oviedo and vlaar for a 8 point hit… team now is…
Howard
Dawson distin clyne
Silva hazard walcott henderson
Rooney suarez negredo
Subs: daniels ward chester ravel
Question is… who to captain??
Shep,
many managers having same dilemma and purely because Mr Suarez is going to City
Personally, the 2 other options based on fixtures are Hazard and Rooney
Having said that, I’m going for Suarez. GW16 still saddens me!
Suarez
Morning DaBomb
Have to say mate thats a good looking team you got!
A bit top heavy across midfield but good!
1. Do you really need to use your ft this week, let alone take a hit? I’d keep it and use the 2 ft next week to adjust your mids and defence
2. Suarez as captain. He’s too good at mo, even if he is going to City
3. Tough 1, but based on personal opinion, I would play Cabaye
Happy Christmas matey!
Thanks B-Bash (not based on the cricket comp T20 Big Bash is it?)
Thinking the same… you are right no. 3 is a tough one but im really not sure. Mirallas no longer plays the full 90 so i guess i might go with Cabaeye, but knowing my luck ill always bench the wrong one.. Turner last week and Cabaye this week
Thanks for your help!!
Morning all…
I trust everyone is feeling Christmassy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAwK9juhhY
Not really. Since I’m going to be at home, with a drink, watching TV?
Milky, you have mail
Will check
Kop, only came across this site now. Didn’t know you guys had even set the new site up yet. Looks very good and good job you did.
Welcome to the site mate…glad you like it
Yup looks really good, like the fixs tracker. The artist formerly known as PJ is now busbybabes.
Man U are always a bit late nowadays 😉
So guys not long to wait until Game Week 18 just wondering who’s is Everyone going to (c) thinking of going for ROONEY or the main man SURAEZ what do u guys Think ?
Has to be Suarez, I think Liverpool wil lose, but like the arsenal match it could be another 6 3 and Suarez will bang in another two or something and still lose. That is my thinking anyway. Form always out weighs fixtures, and he is in the form of his life.
JT
So many managers got their fingers burnt in gw16, including me and he’s simply playing too well. Rooney is a great player, but for me its Suarez, even at City!
Any word if Jussi plays the next day? Would you play him at home to Arsenal or mcGregor home to united?
Keep forgetting to press reply hence my random message at post 110!!!
I’d go with McGregor matey